Fundraiser blurb singles out MSNBC

Feb. 13, 2014

Written by

@BobJordanAPP

TRENTON — There are new suspects in the George Washington Bridge scandal: MSNBC and the “liberal media.”

That’s according to a new fundraising appeal from the New Jersey State Republican Committee, which in an email to supporters Wednesday offered “American Flag New Jersey” pins in exchange for $25 donations.

“This is the very same pin you see Governor (Chris) Christie wearing during his public appearances,” the email says.

The pitch makes the case that Christie has received a raw deal in media coverage of the September lane closures, despite evidence of political retribution that forced the governor to fire a deputy chief of staff and his campaign manager. Organization officials did not respond to a request for comment.

“Over the past few weeks, the liberal media and Trenton Democrats have relentlessly attacked the Governor despite his strong, decisive leadership. It’s time to stand up to MSNBC, the liberal media and their attacks,” the appeal says.

“The people of New Jersey deserve better than the partisan witch hunt they’re currently witnessing on television every night.”

A spokesman for the Democratic National Committee said Republicans instead should have put out information to “just answer a few simple questions: Why were the lanes shut? Who ordered the closure? Who knew what and when?”

“Chris Christie’s team is back to playing the victim on Bridgegate again,” said the DNC spokesman, Ian Sams. “Christie and his allies just don’t get it. He wasn’t the victim of Bridgegate, the public was.”

MSNBC has devoted much of its news programming in recent weeks to coverage of investigations by lawmakers and federal prosecutors. Network executives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.